School Linked Services
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Mt. Diablo Unified School District Internship Program
Intern Luncheon !
Community Youth Center (CYC) Scholarship Application and Registration
Trauma-Focused Interventions in Schools
Foster Youth Education Toolkit
Tutoring Assistance for Foster Youth Handout
Article: Child Welfare’s Moving Target – Towards Community-Based Care
Who We Are
The mission of the FYS Program is to support children who are in out-of-home foster care to be successful in school. The program’s vision is that all foster youth in the district will experience a nuturing and productive educational environment. To do so, our dedicated office staff, school social workers, and MSW interns provide foster youth and their caregivers with direct support and empower them with tools to reach their current and post-secondary educational goals.
In accordance with AB490 and other laws as prescribed in the California Educational Code, Foster Youth Services assist MDUSD and its educators to ensure:
-Immediate enrollment of foster youth
-Timely transfer of school records
-Delivery of dedicated support services such as tutoring and school-based emotional counseling
-Offer of reduced graduation requirements to qualifying foster youth under AB16/216
-Linkage to transitional support offered by County Independent Living Skills Program (ILSP)
Resources for MSW Interns
The Internship Sites
Foster Youth Services (FYS)
MDUSD Foster Youth Services provides individual child and adolescent therapy, group and family counseling, and case management services with clients from diverse economic and cultural backgrounds. MSW Interns provide mental health and support services for children and adolescents who have experienced physical or sexual abuse or neglect and, as a result, have been placed in group homes or with a foster family. The foster youth whom we serve demonstrate a range of mental health, social, emotional, and educational concerns. Our program combines professional services (i.e. therapy & tutoring) with strength-based enrichment opportunities (i.e. dance, music, athletics, etc.) to form “packages of support” for individual youth. Interns often provide the coordination and case management of intervention plans made in collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team at the school site.
The Diablo Community Center (DCC)
Located on the campus of Mt. Diablo High School, the DCC offers mental health, case management, referral services, and strength-based programs to Mt. Diablo High students and families. MSW Interns provide individual, group, and family therapy, crisis intervention, case management, advocacy, and referrals to community based service providers. Interns also participate in DCC events and activities, positively interacting with students and staff. Interns work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team to address school-wide concerns and develop interventions. Students are referred to the DCC for a variety of issues, including but not limited to: depression, anxiety, school adjustment and truancy, behavior and academic problems, family discord and separation, substance abuse, post-traumatic stress, abuse/neglect, homelessness, teen pregnancy, acculturation issues, grief and loss, and gang involvement.
Training & Support:
Interns participate in weekly individual supervision with their assigned Field Instructor, and bi-weekly group supervision. Interns may also consult with their Field Instructor regarding urgent matters as needed. Interns are required to attend monthly trainings designed to improve one’s knowledge of school social work practice, and clinical skills for working with children, youth, and families. Training topics have included education laws and policies (e.g. the Special Education process), suicide assessment and crisis response, self-injurious behavior, empathic listening, case-management, Solution-Focused Therapy, eating disorders, group therapy, substance abuse, termination, and more.
Compensation, Pre-Placement Requirements:
● Second year Interns receive a $3,000 stipend. First year Interns receive a $2,000 stipend. Stipends may increase for 2015-2016 School Year
● Interns placed with MDUSD must provide proof of Negative TB test, and complete a Fingerprint (Livescan) Clearance at the District office (DOJ and CAI clearances).
● Interns must agree to continue in placement through the natural end of the school year (early June, although exact end date is negotiable).